{{Checklist|[[Media:Merit Badge FAQ.pdf|Here is a one-page pdf ]] {{PDF}} with some of the most important Merit Badge Requirements and Policies.<br> Also see the [[Merit Badge Policies]].}}

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All Scouts, leaders, and counselors are to follow the principles of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law at all times. Here are some of the key [[Boy Scout Requirements]] (BSR) and [[Advancement Policies]] (#33088) regarding merit badges. Please also see the See [[Merit Badge Policies#Introduction|Merit Badge Introduction]] and [[Guide for Merit Badge Counselors]].

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=====Is the Scout Handbook all I need to know about Advancement?=====

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No. As a corporation, the BSA National Council has Bylaws that provide the most important rules for the corporation. Next come the Corporate Polices, then their support documents, and finally other documentation, handbooks, and manuals. See the [[Bookshelf]] for a current list of online and printed references.

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For Advancement under the BSA National Council, the precedence of documentation is:

*A merit badge cannot be taken away once it has been earned, ''"provided the counselor is a registered counselor for the merit badge."'' - [[Advancement Policies|AP p.26]] Also a [[merit badge application]] can’t list the Counselor as “Pixley Fire Dept.” A fire department can’t be registered to counsel a merit badge.

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==Common questions about merit badge counselors==

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;Does a counselor "cover" the requirements or does each Scout do each requirement himself?

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* ''"You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated -- no more and no less. You are expected to do exactly what is stated in the requirements. If it says "show or demonstrate," that is what you must do." - [[Merit Badge Introduction|BSR p. 23]]

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* ''"In the end, the Scout must be reviewed individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badges requirements."'' - [[Advancement Policies|AP p. 26]]

* '''"Qualified:''' ''"They must be men and women of good character, age 18 or older, and recognized as having the skills and education in the subjects for which they are to serve as merit badge counselors, as well as the ability to work with Scout-age boys."'' - [[Merit Badge Policies|AP p. 13]]

:4. Handbooks such as the [[Boy Scout Handbook]] and [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&item=33009C Scoutmaster Handbook]

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;Is there a limit to how many merit badges can one person can counsel?

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*''"There is no restriction or limit on the number of merit badges an individual may counsel but they must be approved for each specific merit badge."'' - [[Merit Badge Policies|AP p. 13]]

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;Can a merit badge counselor counsel their own son or relative?

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*''"An approved counselor can counsel any youth member, including his or her own son, ward, or relative."'' - [[Merit Badge Policies|AP p. 13]]

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;Can a someone under 18 teach merit badges?

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*''"Camp staff members who are qualified in the subject and are younger than age 18 may assist the merit badge counselor with instruction...However regardless of the class format, each Scout must be tested individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badge's requirements."'' - [[Advancement in Summer Camp|AP p. 34]]

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==Questions about units==

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;Do we have to turn in an Advancement Report to buy merit badges?

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*''"Badges of rank, merit badges, and Eagle Palms are restricted items. These items may not be sold or distributed unless the [[Advancement Report]], has been properly filled out and has been submitted to the local council office."'' - [[Merit Badge Policies|AP p. 34]]

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;Should we wait until the next court of honor to present the merit badge?

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*''"Presentation of merit badges and rank badges should not wait until the next [[court of honor]]; awards and badges should be presented at the next meeting after they have been earned."'' - [[Merit Badge Policies|AP p. 25]]

:No. ''"You don't need to have had rank advancement to be eligible."'' (p. 22) <ref name="#33215"/>

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=====Can a counselor modify a requirement for a Scout who has a disability?=====

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==See Also==

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:No. ''"Advancement for Boy Scouts with Disabilities - All current requirements for an advancement award (ranks, merit badges, or Eagle Palms) must actually be met by the candidate. There are no substitutions or alternatives permitted except those which are specifically stated in the requirements..."'' (p.40) <ref name="#33088"/>

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{{Merit Badge See Also}}

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:''"The Eagle Scout rank may be achieved by a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or qualified* Venturer who has a physical or mental disability by qualifying for alternate merit badges. This does not apply to individual requirements for merit badges. Merit badges are awarded only when all requirements are met as stated."''(p.43) <ref name="#33088"/>

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=====Can a counselor declare a Scout to have Special Needs?=====

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:No. ''"The local council must approve these registration on an individual basis."'' (p.40) If the Scout cannot complete a required merit badge, the Council is to select “...an alternate merit badges of such a nature that they are as demanding of effort as the required merit badges." (p. 43) <ref name="#33088"/>

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=====Do Scouts have to use a Merit Badge Application 34124A?=====

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:No. There is no requirement like this except that at summer camp, ''"partial credit should be noted on the Application for Merit Badge..."'' (p. 34) <ref name="#33088"/>

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=====Does work have to be done after the Merit Badge Application is started?=====

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:No. Under Boy Scout Advancement, the Four Steps of Advancement section shows that: ''"1. The Boy Scout learns. 2, The Boy Scout is tested..."'' (p. 24) <ref name="#33088"/> Many merit badges do have certain requirements that can only be done with the approval of the counselor. Others require certain work to be done with "your troop." But unless stated otherwise, there is no requirement that work must be done since a merit badge was started, or since becoming a Scout, etc. You cannot add requirements. (p. 26) <ref name="#33088"/>

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=====Can a merit badge be taken away?=====

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:A merit badge cannot be taken away once it has been earned, ''"provided the counselor is a registered counselor for the merit badge."'' (p. 26) <ref name="#33088"/> Also a merit badge application can’t list the Counselor as “Pixley Fire Dept.” A fire department can’t be registered to counsel a merit badge.

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=====Do all merit badge counselors have to be trained & approved?=====

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:Yes. ''"All merit badge counselors, even those who serve only one unit, must be trained and approved by the Council and District advancement committees and be registered with the council."'' (p.14) <ref name="#33088"/>

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=====Must registered adult leaders register again to also be merit badge counselors?=====

:''"Your Scoutmaster will give you the name of a person from a list of counselors."'' (#33215 p. 22) <ref name="#33215">[http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&item=33215 Boy Scout Requirements] ISBN 3017634452 </ref>

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=====Is there a limit to how many merit badges can one person can counsel?=====

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:No. ''"There is no restriction or limit on the number of merit badges an individual may counsel but they must be approved for each specific merit badge."'' (p. 13) <ref name="#33088"/>

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=====Can a merit badge counselor counsel their own son or relative?=====

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:Yes. ''"An approved counselor can counsel any youth member, including his or her own son, ward, or relative."'' (p. 13) <ref name="#33088"/>

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=====Can a Scout under 18 teach merit badges?=====

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:Yes. ''"Camp staff members who are qualified in the subject and are younger than age 18 may assist the merit badge counselor with instruction...However regardless of the class format, each Scout must be tested individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badge's requirements."'' (p. 34) <ref name="#33088"/>

:Also, ''"There is no time limit for completion of merit badges other than age 18."''(p. 34). <ref name="#33088"/>

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=====Can Scouts earn partial credit for a merit badge at a summer camp?=====

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:Yes. ''"Partial completion of merit badges should be credited to a Scout on the Application for Merit Badge and given to the Scoutmaster at the end of the week."'' (p. 34) <ref name="#33088"/>

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=====Do we have to turn in an Advancement Report to buy merit badges?=====

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:Yes. ''"Badges of rank, merit badges, and Eagle Palms are restricted items. These items may not be sold or distributed unless the [http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34403.pdf Advancement Report, No. 34403B], has been properly filled out and has been submitted to the local council office."'' (p. 34) <ref name="#33088"/>

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=====Should we wait until the next court of honor to present the merit badge?=====

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:No. ''"Presentation of merit badges and rank badges should not wait until the next court of honor; awards and badges should be presented at the next meeting after they have been earned."'' (p. 25) <ref name="#33088"/>

More questions about merit badges

A merit badge cannot be taken away once it has been earned, "provided the counselor is a registered counselor for the merit badge." - AP p.26 Also a merit badge application can’t list the Counselor as “Pixley Fire Dept.” A fire department can’t be registered to counsel a merit badge.

Common questions about merit badge counselors

Does a counselor "cover" the requirements or does each Scout do each requirement himself?

"You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated -- no more and no less. You are expected to do exactly what is stated in the requirements. If it says "show or demonstrate," that is what you must do." - BSR p. 23

"In the end, the Scout must be reviewed individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badges requirements." - AP p. 26

"No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to or subtract from an advancement requirement." - AP p. 3, 23, 26, 34, etc.

Can you modify requirements for a Scout with Special Needs? Who certifies Special Needs?

No. "Merit badges are awarded only when all requirements are met as stated." - AP p. 41

"Certification must be given by the appropriate local council..." - AP p. 42

What are the requirements to be a merit badge counselor? Do you have to register again? Who approves you?

"Qualified:"They must be men and women of good character, age 18 or older, and recognized as having the skills and education in the subjects for which they are to serve as merit badge counselors, as well as the ability to work with Scout-age boys." - AP p. 13

"There is no restriction or limit on the number of merit badges an individual may counsel but they must be approved for each specific merit badge." - AP p. 13

Can a merit badge counselor counsel their own son or relative?

"An approved counselor can counsel any youth member, including his or her own son, ward, or relative." - AP p. 13

Can a someone under 18 teach merit badges?

"Camp staff members who are qualified in the subject and are younger than age 18 may assist the merit badge counselor with instruction...However regardless of the class format, each Scout must be tested individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badge's requirements." - AP p. 34

Questions about units

Do we have to turn in an Advancement Report to buy merit badges?

"Badges of rank, merit badges, and Eagle Palms are restricted items. These items may not be sold or distributed unless the Advancement Report, has been properly filled out and has been submitted to the local council office." - AP p. 34

Should we wait until the next court of honor to present the merit badge?

"Presentation of merit badges and rank badges should not wait until the next court of honor; awards and badges should be presented at the next meeting after they have been earned." - AP p. 25